A proposal to annex the existing Peachtree East shopping center on the eastern limits of Peachtree City may have hit a snag.

The shopping center owner does not want to replace all signs on the development to meet city code, the city’s Planning Commission was told Monday night.

The main issue is that the current signs at Peachtree East are internally lit, a method forbidden under Peachtree City sign rules, said City Planner David Rast.

Attorney Rick Lindsey, representing the shopping center owner, said Monday it would cost an estimated $250,000 to get all the signs changed out.

In a previous meeting, city officials had suggested the shopping center could “phase in” sign compliance over a period of several years. But Lindsey said his client has told him that was off the table because of the cost.

Planning Commissioner Patrick Staples said he thought $250,000 was too much for what the job really should cost. Staples also said city residents would certainly recognize the signs were not in compliance with what the city allows.

“Personally I think if they want to come into Peachtree City, they have to meet Peachtree City standards, whether it costs money or not,” said Planning Commissioner Lynda Wojcik.

Lindsey said he would communicate the commission’s wishes on having the signs changed to his client.

There are two reasons the shopping center wants to become part of Peachtree City, Lindsey said. The first is the ability to sell alcohol on Sundays at restaurants. The second is improved public safety, both for medical and police protection.

The 147,000-square-foot shopping center may also need additional landscaping on the site to garner city approval for the annexation.

In addition to the anchor Publix and SteinMart stores, Peachtree East is home to the Italian Oven and a Starbucks. No additional development is proposed for the site, which has a few vacant storefronts, one of which could potentially be developed as a restaurant, Lindsey said.

Lindsey said he thought Publix and SteinMart officials would have a problem with having to change their signs.

Monday’s meeting was in a workshop format to give feedback to the applicant. The planning commission will eventually vote on the matter as a recommendation to the City Council, which has the final say-so on the issue.

Lindsey suggested that the shopping center owner might be amenable to participating in the cost of paving a cart path along Ga. Highway 54 leading from the shopping center to Robinson Road because of the tangible benefit it would have.

Wojcik and Planning Commissioner Theo Scott both said they felt the landscaping in the islands of the parking lot would need to be enhanced.